The Red Address BookAuthor: Sofia Lundberg
Published: Harper
Publication Date: January 8, 2019
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Paperback
Pages: 304
Source: Personal Collection
Goodreads
"Written with love, told with joy. Very easy to enjoy."--Fredrik Backman, author of
A Man Called Ove
For fans of The Little Paris Bookshop and The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared comes a heartwarming debut about 96-year-old Doris, who writes down the memories of her eventful life as she pages through her decades-old address book. But the most profound moment of her life is still to come . . .
Meet Doris, a 96-year-old woman living alone in her Stockholm apartment. She has few visitors, but her weekly Skype calls with Jenny--her American grandniece, and her only relative--give her great joy and remind her of her own youth.
When Doris was a girl, she was given an address book by her father, and ever since she has carefully documented everyone she met and loved throughout the years. Looking through the little book now, Doris sees the many crossed-out names of people long gone and is struck by the urge to put pen to paper. In writing down the stories of her colorful past--working as a maid in Sweden, modelling in Paris during the 30s, fleeing to Manhattan at the dawn of the Second World War--can she help Jenny, haunted by a difficult childhood, unlock the secrets of their family and finally look to the future? And whatever became of Allan, the love of Doris's life?
A charming novel that prompts reflection on the stories we all should carry to the next generation, and the surprises in life that can await even the oldest among us, The Red Address Book introduces Sofia Lundberg as a wise--and irresistible--storyteller.
The Review
The Red Address Book is a historical fiction novel that follows the life of Doris. One thing I’m always cautious about in historical fiction novels is the dual timelines. In most books, I feel, one timeline is always underwhelming. I worried when found out The Red Address Book had dual timelines. Instead of the classic present to past format with different characters, in The Red Address Book we follow Doris the whole way. She tells the story of her past in letters to her niece, Jenny. I enjoyed The Red Address Book, I highly recommend.
Pros:
- The Red Address Book not only spans a long time period but through Doris, readers get to see the world in various stages. From her childhood in Sweden, to her young adulthood in Paris, to America during WWII and back to Europe again.
- The format was unique with Doris telling her story through the encounters of people that affected her throughout her life.
- The writing was excellent. At times, I felt that I was with Doris in the places she experienced and I found myself wanting to know not only what was going to happen to her but to also the people in her life.
Cons:
- The Red Address Book deals with a lot of tough topics. Doris led an extraordinary life, and it was often very hard. So, this book contains a series of topics that may be triggering for some readers.
